Lavender Recipes
culinary creations inspired by lovely lavender
Love The Taste of Lavender?
So do we. Beyond it’s beautiful floral aesthetic and aromatic benefits, it’s a fabulously versatile seasoning that makes a wonderful addition to your spice rack. Lavender stems from the same family as some of the most common herbs. Like its cousins mint, rosemary, thyme and sage, it can stir your imagination in the kitchen and set some cravings in motion.
What makes lavender so great for culinary endeavors? It works in both sweet dishes, like deserts, beverages and breakfasts, and savory meals like dinners, snacks and lunches. It’s flavor is complex, floral and full of personality, with notes of lemon and citrus.
Thats why we offer culinary lavender for creations that are classic, like a blueberry lavender martini, and creative, like a lavender, walnut, honey grilled cheese. Satisfy your cravings with culinary lavender, and look no further than our collection of lavender recipes.
Ali’i Kula Lavender Featured Maui Chefs
Support Local.
A showcase of some of the best Maui Chefs and in collaboration with the farm, the lavender recipes below feature island inspired dishes showcasing items from our Alii Kula Lavender Farm kitchen & culinary line.
We’re Looking for Lavender Recipes!
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Types of Lavender for Cooking
Lavender comes in many varieties, many of which can be found on our farm. English Lavender is the most common lavender, also known as Lavendula Angustifolia. Lavandins, Hidcote, Munstead, Grosso and Provence Lavender are also culinary varieties of lavender. The sweet fragrance and flavor of English Lavender make it an ideal component to cooking.
Meanwhile, French Lavender and Spanish Lavender have stronger flavors that may overpower recipes and are not the suggested variety for cooking.
We like to think that we make cooking with lavender easy with our packed Culinary Lavender and Gourmet Lavender Seasoning, but the use of lavender in cuisine dates back centuries. Most recipes make use of fresh and dried lavender flowers, but the leaves and tender stems can be used in marinades. The flowers are flavored best used when fully bloomed, before browning. Simply pluck the flower heads from the stem and use as a loose seasoning.
Lavender for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and More
Lavender Recipes For Breakfast
Start your day inspired and at ease with the sweet fragrance and flavor of lavender. We love a good latte, lavender baked good or fruit pairing.
Lavender Snack Recipes
Whether you like it sweet or savory, lavender can spruce up many snacking options. The possibilities go as far as your imagination can take you.
Lavender Recipes For Lunch
Salads, sandwiches, side dishes, dips, breads and quick, on-the-go-meals. Lavender is always on the lunch menu.
Lavender Appetizer Recipes
Appetizers are dressed to impress with lavender. Find the right recipe to warm up your guests to the flavors of this lovely herb.
Lavender Recipes For Dinner
Whats for dinner? Lavender! Think of the possibilities with marinades, seasoning rubs, salad dressing and spruced up veggies.
Lavender Desserts
The most celebrated use for lavender is in desserts. Ice creams, pies, sugar coated, chocolates and cookies. Get your sweet side satisfied with these lavender desserts.
Lavender Drinks & Cocktails
Cocktail Hour just got a bit more inspired. Bring the drink menu to life at home with our selection of premiere lavender beverages. These recipes can be made 21 and over or sans alcohol.
Tips for Cooking with Lavender
Dried vs. Fresh Lavender
- Both fresh and dried lavender may be used in culinary recipes
- Rule of thumb is 1 part fresh lavender buds equals 1/3 part dried lavender buds
- Dried lavender has a more intense flavor than fresh lavender as it becomes more potent as it dries.
- Pick lavender with the brightest color, and avoid wilted stems. Rinse well, as you would any produce and dry with a paper towel.
- To dry lavender, pick fresh and bunch together with a rubber band and hang upside down in a dark, clean area with decent ventilation.
Cooking with Lavender
- As you learn to use lavender in cooking, add it slowly and to your liking.
- The grey-green stems of Lavender can be used as a replacement for Rosemary.
- Spikes and stems make great kabobs, use these instead of sticks.
- Ground lavender can work well in baked goods and menu items with texture
- Infusing oil, cream or alcohol with lavender is a great way to incorporate flavor into recipes; removing the flower buds from the infusion for a smoother texture.
- Stems and buds can be used in marinades, mix it up with other herbs like rosemary, thyme and oregano.
Storing Lavender
- If using fresh lavender, pick it as close to prep and cooking as possible for the best flavor.
- Store fresh lavender in a glass or vase of water until you are ready to use them, or place the blooms between moist paper towels in the fridge.
- To ensure your dried lavender goes the distance, store in an airtight container in the freezer.
Lavender DIY
In addition to culinary delights, lavender has many uses that can spice up your DIY creations. Some of our favorites include self-care items like lavender coconut oil salt scrub and lavender, bergamot and honey face mask